Australian High Commission partners with Sesame Workshop India Trust’s ‘Mera Planet, Mera Ghar’ Campaign to Empower Children as Environmental Champions
October 21, 2024
New Delhi, [21-10-2024] – Sesame Workshop India Trust (SWIT) is proud to announce its collaboration with the Australian High Commission to launch the ‘Mera Planet, Mera Ghar’ campaign, a dynamic initiative designed to build environmental stewardship in young children. Supported by the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, this campaign aims to instil environmental consciousness and sustainable behaviours in over 200 children aged 5-12 years through Delhi’s government schools, while expanding its reach to engage adult citizens through a robust social media outreach program.
Since its inception in 2021 in Delhi, "Mera Planet, Mera Ghar" has seamlessly integrated essential environmental lessons into the daily learning experiences of more than 11,000 children in schools and over 25 million individuals over social media, emphasizing sustainable practices and active environmental leadership. Using innovative educational methods, including beloved Sesame characters like Elmo and Chamki along with Hawa Hawai, and AQI Meter Ji, the program makes learning about environmental issues both engaging and impactful.
Philip Green, High Commissioner, Australian High Commission, said the collaboration with Sesame Workshop India aligned with the Australian Government’s commitment to practical action on climate change at home, in our region, and at a global level. "The Australian High Commission is delighted to partner with Sesame Workshop India Trust on the ‘Mera Planet, Mera Ghar’ campaign. Climate change is one of the most critical issues of our time, and it is essential that younger generations are part of the conversation. By empowering children with the knowledge and understanding to address environmental challenges, we are not only investing in their future but also in the future of our planet. This partnership with Sesame Workshop India will help develop the next generation of young ‘Green Champions’, who can inspire and lead their communities to take action for a greener, more sustainable world."
The collaboration between Sesame Workshop India and the Australian High Commission will feature beloved Sesame Muppet characters Elmo and Chamki presenting key messages on sustainability in a fun and engaging manner through the “Mera Planet, Mera Ghar” STEM-based educational kit. The kit, which includes storybooks, board games, a herbal garden kit, and other teaching-learning materials (TLMs), is designed to build children’s awareness and curiosity about environmental concerns and associated age-appropriate solutions.
Sonali Khan, Managing Trustee, Sesame Workshop India Trust, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, "At Sesame Workshop India, we believe that children have the potential to be the most powerful advocates for the planet. The ‘Mera Planet, Mera Ghar’ campaign is a step towards empowering them with the knowledge and skills to protect their environment. Through the partnership with the Australian High Commission, we are confident that we can further inspire children to lead the way in promoting sustainable practices to adopt both in their schools and at home. We are proud to have the support of the Direct Aid Program in this initiative, which aligns with Sesame’s global mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder."
Classroom workshops and an experiential STEM curriculum empower children to address climate issues, transforming them into "Green Champions”. Additionally, the campaign also involves training educators to lead eco-club workshops while encouraging families to adopt eco-friendly practices through a social media campaign. To ensure sustainability beyond the campaign period, the initiative focuses on building teacher capacity and fostering ongoing community involvement. The lessons learned will stay with the children, enabling them to continue championing environmental causes long after the campaign concludes.
With a commitment to making environmental education accessible to every child and empowering them to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future, SWI extends its heartfelt gratitude to all supporters of the “Mera Planet, Mera Ghar” initiative, including dedicated educators and enthusiastic young participants. Together, we continue to shape a greener and more sustainable future for all.
About Sesame Workshop India
Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts. With a mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, we reach families in more than 150 countries with playful early learning so we can empower each generation to build a better world.
Since 2006, Sesame Workshop India, the Indian arm of Sesame Workshop, engages and impacts children and caregivers using an integrated approach of providing low-cost and equitable access to quality educational content through mass and digital media platforms and the pre and primary schooling system.
Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more are rooted in deep expertise and designed to meet children’s most pressing needs. From building school readiness to encouraging playful problem-solving, from supporting emotional well-being to promoting positive self-identity, Sesame Workshop is here for children and families — as every caregiver's valued partner and every child's trusted friend.
Learn more at www.sesameworkshopindia.org and follow Sesame Workshop India on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.